Overwhelming majority of Americans oppose new mandates and restrictions to combat Omicron, poll

According to a new poll from the Convention of States Action in partnership with the Trafalgar Group, an overwhelming majority of Americans are opposed to new mandates and restrictions being implemented to deal with the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

In total, 69.4% of those polled believe there should be no increased mandates and restrictions in order to combat Omicron. When broken down, that figure reflects 21.4% of those surveyed who believe the variant is "not a serious health risk," and 33.1% who believe that "regardless of risk, increased mandates and restrictions are not needed."

About 30% of those polled responded that Omicron is a serious health risk that "warrants stricter mandates and restrictions."

Among Democrats, that figure jumps too 45.5%, though a majority of 54.5% do not believe in more mandates. Among Republicans, 86.5% believe Omicron is not cause for increased mandates, while 13.4% believe it is. And, among independents/unaffiliated voters, 67% do not feel further mandates are necessary. 

Results from the poll showcase bipartisan agreement on moving away from COVID-19 mandates and restrictions even as Omicron spreads. Rising case rates due to the winter season have also prompted some state and local governments to declare states of emergency and reintroduce mask mandates. 

Mark Meckler, the President of Convention of States Action, believes the American people are rapidly moving away from the mandate-mentality of politicians in Washington and those in the upper echelons of government. 

"Unlike government health officials in Washington, DC, Americans have already figured out that mandates and lockdowns are not the way we will beat the COVID-19 pandemic," he said, adding, "As we’ve seen in our polls repeatedly, the American people are tired of all this and ready to get on with their lives. The U.S. Senate finally recognized this reality this week with the bi-partisan passage of the bill to block President Biden’s illegal vaccine mandate, and we’re going to see more of this as we get closer to 2022 and elected officials fight to save their jobs."